Concorde / Fontessa

'Concorde' is a notable album in the career of the Modern Jazz Quartet. It was their first full-length twelve inch long playing record (LP). The LP soon showed why it was the perfect format for jazz, as classic after classic would soon be released in the following decade, a period that would become known as "The Golden Age Of Modern Jazz". This underrated album is an Apollonian masterpiece. It balances the cool, formalist approach to jazz (that one expects from MJQ) with a genuine swinging impulse. As a coherent ensemble, this was one of the best groups ever. The suite "Fontessa" is a great composition by a great jazz composer (John Lewis), and is beautifully coherent, pointed, subtle and rich. MJQ are: Milt Jackson - vibes; John Lewis - piano; Percy Heath - bass; Connie Kay - drums.